CH 16
She even wrote to mike about talk she had with Steve and told him what happen. Over the next two months Kate keep her self away from the other midshipmen when they not in class or training.
All the year four instructors haven notice what been going on and when it was Kate turn to be leader for training the other midshipmen either not listening or they were slacking in there training. The instructors notice it on the first day so at the end of the day they spoke to the group before they all return back to the academy.
When Kate return and she was in her room studying, her cell phone rings so she answer it "Hello"
"Kate it Paul"
"hi Paul is every thing alright"
"Yes I called to see how you are doing"
"I'm doing ok"
"how the field training"
"night mare and the instructors notice it today. They had talk to all of us. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong"
"Are you leader at the moment"
"Yes"
"I'll give you some advice which might help, it the same advice some one I know once gave me"
"I'm listening" Kate listen to what Paul was telling her which made Kate smile.
They talk for ten minutes before she hung up and then she started thinking for few minutes then return back to her study.
The next day when her group had more training and she leader. She took a deep breath and started giving out orders like she the captain of a ship. When the ones who in her group started whispering she started having hash words with them and the whole group.
The group look at Kate in shock then started smirking. So she wipe there smirks off there faces when she threaten them with tooth brush duties and other disciplining action for not listening to there captain or XO. The instructors were shock but impress with the sudden change in Kate.
They knew she would go far with attitude like that. By the end of the day Kate got her group to do as they were told and when done she told them that they did a good job but they needed more training in listening and obaying orders. When they all return back to the academy the instructors spoke to Kate for a minute
"midshipmen I'm impress with what you did today compeer to yesterday, you shock us and your group, care to tell us how you change like you did" Kate smile
"My father in law called me last night he gave me some advice an old captain once gave him when he was doing his training here. It help me a lot"
"your father in law was in the navy"
"Yes sir retired vice admiral Paul Flynn"
"Paul Flynn your father in law" One instructor asked
"Yes sir do you know him"
"Yes when I was a midshipmen I was station on HMAS Sydney he was captain of the ship. But that was along time ago. He was a hard but a patient and fair man he was"
"I know sir. Now you know who my father in law is, if you will excuse me sirs I need to shower and change before dinner" she saluted them which they did in return before Kate turn and walk away from them.
A month later some of year four instructors saw Kate greeting a man in civilian clothing with hug and kiss before they walk into the accommodation building then walking out ten minutes later with Kate in civilian clothing and the man carrying a over night bag in one hand and his arm wrap around her waist since hers was wrap around his.
They were talking and smiling as they walk to the car park. They wounder who the man is that made there top student smile like that.
On Monday morning one of her instructors keep Kate back in class when the others left. "midshipmen, I saw you on Friday afternoon with a man in civilian clothing, you know the rules about having guests in the accommodation block"
"Yes sir I do know the rules and as for the guy who I was with he my husband lieutenant Mike Flynn. He came to take me away form the academy and books for a weekend since the ship he is on was in port for a week and I haven't seen my husband in three months sir"
"Your husband" Kate smile
"Yes sir, if you will excuse me sir I got another class to go to"
"Very well Midshipmen" they saluted then Kate walk out the door and walk quickly to her next class.
When there was long weekends Kate flew to Darwin for a few days to get away from the academy.
Over the next three months Kate keep busy with her studies even though some of the midshipmen didn't like it that she in top of her class and they try to pull her down during training as well in group subjects. Kate knew what they trying to do so she pull command act on them which they didn't like it especially when she in command.
One day Kate return back to her room. When she open the door she was shock to see who there. She close and lock the door then she step ford putting her book on her desk while not taking her eyes of the man in front of her then she wrap her arms around his shoulder and kiss him which became passionate.
When they broke apart "mike, I miss you"
"i miss you to Kate"
"what are you doing here, how did get in here"
"I talk to your divisional officer and he let me in here since he knows that I'm your husband"
"Ok but are you on shore leave"
"For a week, I've been transferred to Huon ship Kate"
"what, why" Mike smile
"I've been promoted" Kate eyes widen then she look at her shoulders to see he received a extra half stripe
"Lieutenant commander, mike I'm prod of you" she hug and kiss him again.
"Have you told your dad yet?"
"I'm flying down tonight, I'm going to surprise them, when I got promoted I knew you should be the first one I tell"
"mike I'm so happy for you"
"Kate with me being on Huon ship, it not like a patrol boat"
"i under stand, where are you station at?"
"Cairns"
"Cairns"
"Yes I'll be staying at the officer complex till I can find an apartment"
"i under stand Mike, need any help" Mike smile
"How can you help me"
"Well I can fly up on weekends and look for one for you, for us" mike smile
"Are you sure"
"Yes" Mike hug and kiss Kate
"thank you"
"your welcome" Mike and Kate talk for an hour before Mike had to leave.
They hug and kiss before he Walk out of Kate room and walk down to the car park just as taxi showed up since he book a taxi to pick him up at a sustain time. He left his bag at the air port since he was flying down to Sydney.
When mike arrived at his parent place he look at the large house for the first time he couldn't believe how big it is, Jane took photos of the house and show them to Mike but seeing it for the first time in person he was shock.
He walk up to the new pathway to the house. Then he walk up the new veranda when the sensor lights came on. He step forward and push the door bell and waited. He saw the lights turn on and foot steps
"Who is it"
"mum it Mike" Alice open the door slightly then she open it right up
"mike" she said in shock then step forward to give him a hug
"i said I was coming mum"
"i know but I for got it was today"
"Who at the door" Paul said when he walk though a door
"It's mike" Alice let mike walk into the house.
"hi dad"
"Mike I thought you would have been here hours ago" they hug
"I went to see Kate first before coming here"
"Why is she still having problems" Alice asked
"some but she copping, the reason why I went to see her first to give her some news"
"what news are you being transferred" Alice asked
"Yes to Cairns"
"Patrol boat" Paul asked
"no second in command oh a Huon ship dad"
"what" Then he look at mike shoulder and smile
"Well I be dam lieutenant commander. No wounder you wanted to tell Kate first. I'm prod of you son"
"thanks dad"
"Mike your grand father would also be prod of you"
"i know he world mum"
"Let go and get a drink, what would like to have son"
"Beer thanks dad, I'll go and get change"
"sure"
"I'll show you your room Mike"
"thanks mum" mike and Alice walk to the stairs and up them.
She show mike his and Kate bedroom then she return back down stairs while mike got change then return back down stairs where he talk to his parents for two hours before they went to bed since it was getting late.
Mike stayed for a few days with his parents then he flew to Brisbane where he spent two days there. While there he went and saw his grand father in his uniform. His grand father was shock to see Mike show up but is happy with the news of Mike promotion. Mike spent few hours with his grand father before he left to return to his hotel for the night.
The next day Mike flew to Cairns since he was staying at the officer accommodation till he can get an apartment sorted out.
The next morning Mike showed up at NAVCOM to meet his new CO and the commander of NAVCOM before leaving since the Huon ship was going to be away for a month.
When it was the weekends Kate flew to Cairns on a Friday night, she was staying at a hotel while looking for a place for her and mike. Kate look at different apartments and condos. There was nothing that got her interested. So the second weekend Kate look at more apartments and then houses. A lot she seen its only for six months to a year. Kate was looking at long term.
On the third weekend she found a house that she like and the owner would let her and mike it rent it long term since they in the navy and all his previous tenants were also navy so he under stands. Kate fill out the paper work for the house and paid a bond, plus she paid a extra month in advance of the rent of the house.
Once done. Kate was happy then she went to NAVCOM to talk to the commander about having mikes things move to Cairns. The commander gave Kate the papers for her to fill out since she is mike wife. While filling the papers out the commander asked Kate number of questions which she was able to answer. When the paper work is sorted and pass back to the commander, Kate left to call Jane since she got key to mike apartment.
When Kate return back to the academy she return back to her studies hoping that mike like the house that she pick out. When Huon ship was in port for a few days Mike and his CO went to NAVCOM for briefing with NAVCOM CO.
When they finish the briefing the commander past mike an envelope "I was ask to give you this lieutenant commander" the commander said when he past the envelope
"By who sir"
"your wife" mike smile
"thank you sir" mike open it and saw a piece of paper and a key.
It was an address and code for the security system. Few minutes later Mike left in a taxi to the address. When he arrived at the house he was shock he thought it was an apartment not a two story house. He walk up to the front door and use the key to open it then he walk in and saw the Security alarm so he push the buttons to turn the alarm off.
When done he close the door to the house then walk through it. He saw his and Kate furniture every where. So he look around then walk up stairs and down the hall way opening doors to see different things in rooms including Kate bed and more furniture.
Then he open one door and walk in and stop. He smile when he saw it was the master bedroom and they every thing is in place and the bed was made. But what made him smile was who was in his bed. He put his bag on a chair and his hat on top of it then he walk over to the bed and sat down. He bend over to give the women a kiss
"Welcome home mike"
"Kate this is a surprise"
"i knew you would like it, so what do you think of the house"
"it nice, but how much is it"
"Talk about that late lieutenant commander" Kate started undoing buttons on his shirt while kissing him
"Good idea" Mike said in between kisses.
Few hours later and empty bottle of champagne ans bowl of strawberries, Kate was snuggling up to mike.
"Like your welcome home surprise" Kate asked
"Yes so how did you get this place?"
"It was advertise in the paper for long term retardants so I call the guy up and we meet here we talk and I showed him your other references. He said he got others looking at the house so what seal this deal was when he asked what we do I said we in the navy and that you were transferred to here. That what made him decided to give it to us"
"Cause we in the navy"
"Yes all his other tenants are also in the navy and the house been empty for a week when I sign the papers for us Mike"
"what about apartments"
"six to twelve month lease, same with some of the other homes"
"ok how much is this place, can I a ford it"
Kate roll over onto mike she reach over and open the bed side draw and pulled out fold up papers then she close the draw and rolled back to his side. She pass him the paper. He open them to see it was the rental deal for the house. When he saw it he was shock
"Kate why this much"
"down here" she pointed to what the owner added
"Mow lawns, takes care of gardens and agreement on when to have housing inspection" He turn to Kate.
"He got some one to do the lawns and gardens which is coming out of the rent and as for housing inspection only when your home since your out on patrol and hardly home"
"ok, Kate you done great, thank you"
he put the papers on the bed side draws then he roll them both till he was on top giving her a kiss which became passionate. They made love once more before falling asleep for an hour. Then they got up and shower together since there was an on suite to the master bedroom.
After they showered and gotten dress, Mike took care of the bathroom while Kate made the bed and took the empty bowel the ice bucket and two glasses down stairs. She clean them up and put them away and the empty bottle in the recycle bin. Then she made her and mike a cup of coffee.
When mike walk into the kitchen she pass him his cup. "thanks I notice you got your furniture here also"
"Yeah since it a big house we can have both our stuff here"
"Ok, so what shall we do first"
"We could sort out the living room"
"Good idea" they walk into the living room and look around
"any ideas Kate"
"yes"
Kate told mike her idea on where they could put both there furniture. Every thing. Mike thought about it and he made some suggestions which Kate agree so they finish there coffee then got started on moving furniture around to where they wanted it. When done they both collapsed on the love seat an hour later
"Well now it starting to look like living room" mike said making Kate laugh.
"Yes your right, why don't we go out for dinner"
"Why not we deserve it"
"Yes we do" Kate lean over and kiss mike before standing up picking up the coffee mugs
"I'll take care of these while you think of a place where we can have dinner"
"I know a place I'll call for a taxi"
"ok" Kate took the mugs into the kitchen while mike made a phone call.
Half an hour later they walk into a restaurant where they were taken to a table for the evening. Mike and Kate talk about where they going to put the rest of the stuff as well talk about what been happening at the academy and how she doing there.
When they return back home couple hours later they started on finishing unpacking books and other items for the living room as well putting up pictures and photos around the living room. They work till midnight then they went to bed since it was a long day for them both.
The next day they work of getting things sorted out as well unpack more of the boxes. That afternoon Mike hug and kiss Kate before the taxi arrived to take her to the air port.
"Sorry I can't stat longer to help you unpack mike"
"We done a lot Kate, and don't worry this will keep me busy for the rest of my shore leave" Mike said smiling
"I know it would mike" then the taxi showed up
"Good luck in your tests this week"
"thanks, love you"
"love you to" they hug and kiss once more before Kate pick her bag up and pass it to the taxi driver so he could put it in the boot of the car while Mike open the door for Kate.
"See you next time you have shore leave Mike"
"I'll be looking forward to it" they kiss and hug once more before Kate got in and mike close the door. They wave to each other just as the taxi was leaving.
Mike turn and walk back up and into the house where he look through the house once again thinking about Kate and the house she choice for them both. He decided to start working on his office so he could get his paper work done at nights while working on the rest of the house during the day.
When Kate return back to the academy and was in her room. She sorted out her bag while she called mike to let him know that she back. They talk for few minutes before hanging up. Kate then sat down at her desk and started her studying since she got a test the next day.
Mike and Kate keep in contact by e-mail and phone calls since Mike got a lap up in his cabin which he can use to send letters and copy reports to NAVCOM and some times he calls Kate at night time to talk to her for a few minutes to see how she doing.
Over the next week Kate and other year four midshipmen were busy studying for there final tests since they got one more week of it. When it was over all they could do is wait. When they got there test results some weren't happy with there test marks. Others were happy Kate included.
The day of the award and prize ceremony Paul, Alice, Mike and Ed where there for it. They smile and clap when Kate received numbers of awards and prizes. When every one received there prizes and there was a number of promotions including the navy.
Alice, Paul, Mike and Ed notice Kate wasn't promoted like some of the others who didn't past there tests. they notice the admiral of the fleet stood up to the podium.
"It a great honor of being here once again. Today I have the honor and privilege to award the highest academy award the navy sward award goes to the midshipmen who out did him, her self during the past four years while here and serving on navy ships. This midshipmen has come so far and the scores he, she received are the highest I have every seen in over fifty years. This officer had work and study long and hard to get to where he, she is today. From what I've been told this officer will go far in the navy... with out further ado congratulations to midshipmen... Kate McGregor for wining the nineteen ninety nine sward award"
Every one clap and guests and instructors stood up as they clap just as Kate march from where she was up to the podium and saluted the admiral of the fleet which he did in return then he past Kate the special sward which she attach to her belt while looking at the admiral of the fleet. He raise his hands so every one quieten down
"It also gives me the honor to promote Midshipmen McGregor to lieutenant McGregor" Every one clap while the admiral of the fleet change her shoulder rank.
When done they saluted each other and shook hands "congratulations lieutenant"
"thank you sir" Kate said with a small smile.
Then she return back to her spot. The admiral of the fleet said a small speech before the first three year midshipmen, air force and army officers march off the grounds.
When they were gone every one waited for the bell to ring once when it did the last year class toast there hats up in the air and caught them then it was over. Family and love once got up and walk over to them. Kate look around and smile when she saw her family walking towards her. So she walk over to them giving them a hug including Mike and they kiss in front of every one.
When they broke apart "congratulation lieutenant McGregor"
"thanks mike"
"I'm prod of you" they kiss once more then turn to the family.
She show them the sward she won. They talk for a few minutes before they all walk over to the mess hall for afternoon tea with the other year four officers and there families.
When Kate got her self and mike a cup of coffee she turn around and walk over to where her family is since mike got a plate with some finger food on it. Kate pass him his coffee then pick up a sandwich and bit into it.
"How do you feel Kate" Paul asked
"Shock but great"
"We are prod of you" Ed said smiling
"thanks dad"
They talk for a few minutes then slowly one instructor after another walk over to talk to them and congratulated Kate on wining the sward award and to talk to her family before walking over to another group.
"Kate the ones that didn't pass, what will happen to them" Ed asked
"Not sure dad, I think they might have to do the final year again or be transferred to a ship or a patrol boat for a year then they might get promoted to sub lieutenant"
They talk for a few more minutes when Kate left to go to the Loo. When she walk back into the mess hall a group of midshipmen walk over to her. Mike notice what was going on so he started walk over to Kate.
"Well, well princess perfect wins the sward award, how many instructors did you sleep with to get it" one guy said
"That enough midshipmen. I work and study hard to get to where I am today" Kate said in a cool tone
"Yeah right we know about you and you just like your mother" Mike, Ed, Alice and Paul heard what was said and wasn't happy
"No I'm not like my mother, you know nothing about my mother or about me."
Kate went to walk pass them when one of them grab her arm which made her stop she turn to the guy
"Let go of my arm midshipmen Curry or I will make a formal complaint"
"no you wont" then he let go of her arm then grab her breast. Kate push his arm away
"that dose it, I'll have you charge for sexual harassment"
"I didn't see a thing" one guy said
"Same here" Kate look at them
"so you all willing to cover up your mate for sexual harassment against a female navy officer"
"Yes especially when it you princess perfect"
"then you all can kiss your navy careers good bye" Kate turn away and walk over to the academy commandeering officer.
They all turn to see Kate talking to him for a minute then he walk over to them with Kate behind him
"Midshipmen Curry lieutenant McGregor made a sexual harassment complaint against you and want you charge. She told me you grab her arm and then her right breast is that true"
"no sir" then he look at five others two of them who were promoted to lieutenant
"Did any of you saw what happen"
"Yes sir" they all said
"Princess perfect making it up sir just to get attention" one guy said
"it lieutenant McGregor, not princess perfect midshipmen, you have respect for your fellow officers" Kate said in command tone.
Then she turn to the commodore "sir I still want midshipmen charge for the sexual assault and you might as well have these five midshipmen and lieutenants charge for disrespecting a fellow officer and lying to a high ranking officer sir"
He look at them "Right I want a report about what happen on my desk by tomorrow thirteen hundred hours"
"Yes sir" they all said.
Kate turn and walk over to her family. "Kate are you ok" mike said
"Yeah"
"We saw what happen Kate and we not impress by it" Paul said
"I know, commodore ask us to write up a report about what happen but it there word against mine" Kate said.
"Come on lets get out of here" Mike said
"good idea Mike why don't you take Kate back to her room so she can get change, we will meet you two at the restaurant" Paul said
"good idea" Mike said then he and Kate walk out of the hall.